What we’ve learned from the NBA games so far

At halfway through the season, there is plenty of news and speculation about how things are shaping up in the NBA. There is still all to play for, but fans and commentators are spotting patterns that suggest how the rest of the season is shaping up, and here are some of the most interesting:

LeBron James may be unstoppable

Despite being on the brink of entering his fifth decade on earth, LeBron James appears to be in as good a form as ever. Having made headlines as the youngest player in the league, he is now the oldest and doesn’t seem to have even considered the concept of slowing down.

He’s not just a legacy player clinging on to his spot on the squad: he consistently dominates the scoring, averaging 25 points per game, and his steals and assists form the cornerstone of the Lakers’ success. His ongoing success has united the world of basketball in marveling at this one-in-a-lifetime talent that appears to subvert what we thought we knew about the passage of time.

The Golden State Warriors could be fighting a losing battle

Klay Thompson has had a tough season with headlines focussing on his failure to make the startling lineup for the Warriors’ recent game against the Utah Jazz. Having started in 727 consecutive games since his rookie season in 2012, Thompson did join the action after seven minutes.

He started strong with a layup that landed him the 15,000th point of his career, but this achievement was clouded by his performance in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers in February. In a heart-stopping last-minute push from the Warriors to close the Clipper’s three-point lead, Klay Thompson intentionally fouled Russel Westbrook of the Clippers and put victory firmly out of reach.

Having already allowed a thirteen-point lead to dwindle into nothing, this mistake has left fans wondering if the team has what it takes to make it through all the NBA games this season.

Victor Wembayana is worth watching

As 2023 drew to a close, the jury was still out on Victor Wembayana and the role he was playing in the Spurs’ lineup. Although his talent was evident, his on-court efforts were not translating into wins for the team, although much of this was attributed to his age and lack of experience playing in NBA games.

While commentators were focussing on his apparent decline in forms, Wemby was considering a more holistic approach that he revealed during the trade deadline discussions. He suggested that the Spurs would benefit from some older players joining the ranks.

For a team that has an average age of 23.5, this is a strong suggestion that shows the reflective nature of Wemby’s approach. The wisdom to know that the team needs some strong leadership has given fans a new appreciation of Wembayana, and hopefully, this will be reflected in the club’s future performance.

This has to be one of the most popular NBA free picks due to the team’s rising potential and Wemby’s growing influence on and off the court. His maturity and vision have made him a focal point not just for analysts, but also for fans placing early predictions.

Tyrese Haliburton just keeps earning his reputation

Of course, you would expect a starter for the All-Tournament Team to have a lot to offer, but that’s not even Haliburton’s most impressive achievement this season. As a player that seems to be everywhere he consistently maintains his scoring average, sets up team-mates for success, and is all over the ball whenever he gets an opening.

As a result, the Pacers are enjoying their success with Haliburton leading the charge. His teammates, coaches, and pretty much everyone who ever meets him praise Haliburton for his immense presence, his humility, and his ability to turn any situation to his advantage.

This season, his contribution to the NBA games has put the Pacers in a strong position for this point in the season. His playing style and creativity have given the team exactly what they needed and the result is a strong team dripping in Haliburton’s ‘can-do’ attitude.

Phoenix could be about to rise from the ashes of their recent bad luck

While the team certainly has all the makings of season forerunners, the players’ unfortunate injury tallies saw them struggling to live up to their potential. With Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Damion Lee all struggling with injuries, it has been a tough start to the season.

The new year brought better fortune with most players recovering enough to be removed from the injury reports, although Damion Lee will need plenty of rehab to recover from his meniscus surgery. Now that the team is regaining their full strength, they are starting to showcase the kind of playing that they are known for.

While their slow start may have given some of their opposition a brief window of opportunity, it looks as though the Suns are building their way back up to full strength. While the so-called ‘superteam’ has a long way to go, betting against them is only for the very brave.